Epic Universe Expansion Speculation

[AustinT]

I just saw this on Facebook from “Kingdom Insider”. It’s clearly a rumor post

That's just baseless speculation that anyone could do. A big ol' nothing burger of news. I do think a Wicked/Oz land is coming somewhere....eventually. But I'm not sure if it fits better in Epic or USF for many reasons. USF needs new stuff beyond the coaster and a potential Supercharged re-theme badly.

We'll see how the BO for this second one is shaping up in a few weeks. Reception is worse than the first one and a lack of repeat viewing could hurt its legs over the holiday movie season. But march sales and audience demos for the film and in-park data will probably be what is driving the inclusion of future attractions.

 

[illumination]

That's just baseless speculation that anyone could do. A big ol' nothing burger of news. I do think a Wicked/Oz land is coming somewhere....eventually. But I'm not sure if it fits better in Epic or USF for many reasons. USF needs new stuff beyond the coaster and a potential Supercharged re-theme badly.

We'll see how the BO for this second one is shaping up in a few weeks. Reception is worse than the first one and a lack of repeat viewing could hurt its legs over the holiday movie season. But march sales and audience demos for the film and in-park data will probably be what is driving the inclusion of future attractions.

regarding reception being worse:

Early Rotten Tomatoes scores tell two different stories. Critics sit at 70%, which is notably below the first film’s 88%. Audiences? A very loud 96%. It’s already setting box office records for the previews.

Source: Wicked: For Good Sets Box Office Record, Joins Avengers and Star Wars Elite

They just announced an Oz movie is in development. A continuation of the stories of Oz, but not about the witches, as Glinda and Elphaba’s story arc is complete.

Sources:

Will the New Wicked Spin-Off Not Star Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo? Stephen Schwartz’s Statement Explained

Stephen Schwartz says a Wicked sequel with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo isn’t likely, but a new Oz spinoff could still happen.

fandomwire.com

Wicked 3 Takes Flight: New Oz Movie In Development After For Good Release

Defy gravity again: Wicked 3 is reportedly in development, with a fresh trip to Oz poised to follow For Good’s release and push the hit musical’s reimagined Wizard of Oz saga into a new chapter.

scorpiolikeyou.com

 

[Andysol]

I'm still not sold on this being the next big IP and enough to warrant one of the precious Epic plots. The second movie may very well under perform as the last half of the musical was never as good as the first, and most the reviews for the movie are saying the first was better. If this does less at the box office, I wonder if that'll give them some pause.

I think the IP's core demo being much more female leaning than any of Universal's other IPs is the biggest thing it's got going for it. That may be enough in their eyes if it helps persuade mommy to book a stop at Universal on their next vacation though

Even if wicked was never adapted to the big screen; it would make a spectacular land.
Hell, even if wicked never existed, Oz would be a spectacular land.

Oz and LotR are easily the two best IPs available for park adaptation.

I’m ready for that 4th park already. Give me an 80s land with BTTF and Ghostbusters, plz.

 

[RFRees]

They just announced an Oz movie is in development. A continuation of the stories of Oz, but not about the witches, as Glinda and Elphaba’s story arc is complete.

Sources:

Will the New Wicked Spin-Off Not Star Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo? Stephen Schwartz’s Statement Explained

Stephen Schwartz says a Wicked sequel with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo isn’t likely, but a new Oz spinoff could still happen.

fandomwire.com

Wicked 3 Takes Flight: New Oz Movie In Development After For Good Release

Defy gravity again: Wicked 3 is reportedly in development, with a fresh trip to Oz poised to follow For Good’s release and push the hit musical’s reimagined Wizard of Oz saga into a new chapter.

scorpiolikeyou.com

This is very strong wording for what was actually said. Stephen Schwartz (composer) is looking at what they can do next. This doesn't mean they have the greenlight from Universal.

That being said, I think it's a given that something like an Oz movie happens to expand Universal's branding of the IP.

 

[maxairmike]

What if they did something along the lines of those OG MarioKart concepts with a thrilling Darkride down low and a slow moving dark ride up high. I say that cause given the size of the building and needs for capacity I 100% agree 2 is better than 1 even if that means sacrificing an e ticket.

That would be a great use of space, and with the size of the building footprint I would hope they could give us a useful indoor guest area like Knockturn beyond just queue space.

 

[illumination]

This is very strong wording for what was actually said. Stephen Schwartz (composer) is looking at what they can do next. This doesn't mean they have the greenlight from Universal.

That being said, I think is a given that something like an Oz movie happens to expand Universal's branding of the IP.

The composer is developing a continuation of the stories of Oz. That’s still huge news for fans. Of course it would be way too early for universal to officially announce the next movie…I never said that.

 

[AustinT]

regarding reception being worse:

Like I said, we'll have to see how its legs are. Super fans are always the first to see/review/rate things. Many more reviews are much more critical of it than the first film and people are saying they don't have the desire to see it multiple times.

Oz and LotR are easily the two best IPs available for park adaptation.

I’m ready for that 4th park already.

Yes, many Wicked/Oz locations would make a striking land. I still wonder if they try to push it sooner than later (next 3-4 years) which to me, means it almost has to go into USF since that Springfield plot needs a new tenant soon. From insider rumors, it sounds like other Epic expansions were further along in the planning stages (Potter ride, Luigi's Mansion, Zelda, Creature boat ride) so it would make more sense for another one of those to go first instead of a totally new Wicked land in the park. If we're talking about Wicked for a future 4th park, why even bother speculating. That's so long away at this point.

 

[illumination]

Yes, many Wicked/Oz locations would make a striking land. I still wonder if they try to push it sooner than later (next 3-4 years) which to me, means it almost has to go into USF since that Springfield plot needs a new tenant soon. From insider rumors, it sounds like other Epic expansions were further along in the planning stages (Potter ride, Luigi's Mansion, Zelda, Creature boat ride) so it would make more sense for another one of those to go first instead of a totally new Wicked land in the park. If we're talking about Wicked for a future 4th park, why even bother speculating. That's so long away at this point.

Very much agree on the above. Epic needs to address the capacity problems they have by adding to it. Potter should be (and likely will be) the first expansion for all the reasons people have discussed already. I don’t think the existing Nintendo portal needs more people in it, it’s already stuffed with attractions, but maybe another portal could be another Nintendo related IP. Wicked could go in any Orlando park.

I think it would be a mistake to save Wicked for an upcoming park as that won’t be open for many many years. Gotta strike while the iron is hot and get the actors to film for the attraction.

 

[Andysol]

Gotta strike while the iron is hot and get the actors to film for the attraction.

Totally on board with this as long as their contract forbids them doing any interviews together about it.

 

[RFRees]

The composer is developing a continuation of the stories of Oz. That’s still huge news for fans. Of course it would be way too early for universal to officially announce the next movie…I never said that.

"They just announced" implies quite a lot.

 

[illumination]

"They just announced" implies quite a lot.

Agree to disagree. You made an assumption. I posted the source. There are numerous outlets reporting a spin-off about Oz is in the works, it’s just clearly in beginning stages of being written. It’s exciting!!

 

[Myah1220]

I really think it's inevitable we're getting Oz/Wicked. Now whether it's goes into USF, IOA, or Epic is the question. I personally think Epic would be the best fit because of how much more available space there is and how sprawling and massive and "epic" that whole park is...just like Oz should be. I would love to see it as grand as possible instead of shoehorned into an avail space at the other two smaller parks.

 

[Cup_Of_Coffee]

Everything about the Wicked movie sets scream Epic to me. It almost looks deliberate. Grand, polished, and immersive.

 

[TheUniC6]

I really think it's inevitable we're getting Oz/Wicked. Now whether it's goes into USF, IOA, or Epic is the question. I personally think Epic would be the best fit because of how much more available space there is and how sprawling and massive and "epic" that whole park is...just like Oz should be. I would love to see it as grand as possible instead of shoehorned into an avail space at the other two smaller parks.

Based on the current slate of projects in development at the parks and with the Simpsons contract up in 2028, my mind has it mapped as a Springfield replacement. I could also see them taking out World Expo and MIB as well since that IP is a dead franchise at this point in time.

 

[HandsomePete]

I could also see them taking out World Expo and MIB as well since that IP is a dead franchise at this point in time.

Removing a high capacity indoor ride that scores well on satisfaction surveys, what could go wrong

 

[UAN17]

I just think if they don’t go with USF for Wicked they’re almost committing to the park being several levels below the other 2 for the next half a decade, at least.

Unless Pokemon is also on the cards? It just feels like there needs to be a new major IP.

 

[Andysol]

Based on the current slate of projects in development at the parks and with the Simpsons contract up in 2028, my mind has it mapped as a Springfield replacement. I could also see them taking out World Expo and MIB as well since that IP is a dead franchise at this point in time.

I cannot stress enough how terrible Wicked/Oz as a Springfield replacement would be. The sightlines in Oz need to be immersive. While it would be a great weenie across the pond; from Oz itself, looking across at London and SF would be beyond silly. The lake views there are much more “in your face” than IoA.

I know everyone has Pokémon slated for LC; but there is no better spot for it then USF.

And I vastly prefer wicked over at IoA vs USF or Epic. Specifically Toon Lagoon.

It allows a long, slower reveal coming from both Skull Island and Marvel, so you can gradually get to the golden road of Oz. LC would work as well, but I’d prefer a longer reveal for a land as “epic” as Oz. Just need to keep/retheme Popeyes, the greatest ride in Orlando, somehow.

And why not Epic? As a standalone, Wicked would be great. But as I’ve mentioned before- I think the large land expansion should be done with a long term vision of park hopping to their inevitable 4th dry park (side note- I hate you universal, for making me have to type things like “dry park”). And no better IP fits that mold than LotR. I don’t want nor would I envision wicked across two parks.

 

[Mike S]

I cannot stress enough how terrible Wicked/Oz as a Springfield replacement would be. The sightlines in Oz need to be immersive. While it would be a great weenie across the pond; from Oz itself, looking across at London and SF would be beyond silly. The lake views there are much more “in your face” than IoA.

I know everyone has Pokémon slated for LC; but there is no better spot for it then USF.

And I vastly prefer wicked over at IoA vs USF or Epic. Specifically Toon Lagoon.

It allows a long, slower reveal coming from both Skull Island and Marvel, so you can gradually get to the golden road of Oz. LC would work as well, but I’d prefer a longer reveal for a land as “epic” as Oz. Just need to keep/retheme Popeyes, the greatest ride in Orlando, somehow.

And why not Epic? As a standalone, Wicked would be great. But as I’ve mentioned before- I think the large land expansion should be done with a long term vision of park hopping to their inevitable 4th dry park (side note- I hate you universal, for making me have to type things like “dry park”). And no better IP fits that mold than LotR. I don’t want nor would I envision wicked across two parks.

What’s this about the big expansion spot in Epic being tied to a 4th park?